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Bhrigu Lake Trek Overview
Essential Information of Bhrigu Lake Trek
Maximum altitude- 14,100 ft
Grade- Easy
Duration- 4 days
Trekking distance- 25 km
Trail type- Round trail. The Bhrigu Lake trek starts and ends at Manali.
Railhead- The nearest rail head to the base camp is Pathankot.
Airport- Bhuntar is the nearest airport, located around fifty kilometers from Manali.
Snow Season- All year round except monsoon. Snowfall is prevalent, especially during the latter part of June and early July.
Service from Base camp- Manali to Manali
Best season- June to September.In June, you get the perfect combination of both snow and greenery, making the trek spectacular.
Region: This trek is situated in Himachal Pradesh, around twenty kilometers north of Manali, and can be easily accessed from Gulaba.
Who can participate: Both beginners and advanced climbers.
Short Itinerary for Bhrigu Lake Trek
Bhrigu Lake Trek Detailed Itinerary
Arrive at Manali
On the first day, you'll arrive at Manali. Spend the rest of the day exploring the beautiful surroundings and relaxing at your campsite.
You can also visit the Hadimba Devi Temple which is a sanctum of peace and eternal bliss.
You can also head to the Vashisht Temple, Manu Temple to get the blessings of god.
Your next stop can be the Tibetan Monastery that is surrounded by shops selling carpets and handicrafts.
In the evening head to the Mall road and enjoy the local delicacies and shop for handicrafts and local items.
Return to your campsite in the evening and enjoy a lip-smacking dinner.
Head to Rola Kholi
On day 2 you'll have a yummy breakfast and check out from your campsite. Reach the pre-decided spot in Manali and attend the briefing and orientation session with your trek leader.
Board a vehicle to reach Gulaba and collect your packed lunch on the way.
Get dropped off near Gulaba road, from where you’ll start your trek towards Gulaba and to your first campsite of Roli Kholi.
The trek makes its way through conifers and thick forest till Gulaba. Later, you'll walk under a lush green meadow.
Start heading south of Mt. Hanuman Tibba to have an ultimate cloud experience.
After a short walk you’ll reach the campsite of Roli Kholi.
Settle into your camp and enjoy the breathtaking views. Enjoy an overnight stay and lip-smacking dinner at your campsite.
Trek to Bhrigu Lake from Rola Kholi
On your third day of adventure, you'll relish a delicious breakfast and start trekking to Bhrigu Lake early in the morning.
It will take around three hours to reach Bhrigu. Carry your packed lunch and enjoy it by the lake.
Sit beside this lake and soak in the picturesque views. On a clear day, you can see the Dhauladhar and Pir Panjal ranges from the lake.
After spending some time at the Bhrigu lake, retrace your steps back to Rola Kholi and spend a night at the campsite.
Drive back to Manali
On the last day of your trek, you'll have a yummy breakfast and you’ll check out of the campsite.
You’ll then start to descend towards Kulang village. The down trek will take around 3-4 hours and is quite straightforward.
Once you reach Kulang village a vehicle will drop you at Manali and the journey will finally come to an end.
Return to your home relishing the memories of the trek.
What to Pack for Bhrigu Lake Trek?
- Disclaimer certificate
You must keep the disclaimer certificate which is a legal requirement to undertake this Trek. Download the PDF of the certificate, read it carefully and sign it. You must hand it over to your Trek Leader at the base camp during the registration process.
- Medical certificate
The first part of the medical certificate must be signed by a registered MBBS doctor. You need to fill in the second part. Without the medical certificate, you won't be issued permission for your Trek.
- Photocopy and Original government photo identity card.
To participate in the Trek, you'll have to bring your photocopy and original driver's license, passport, or Aadhar Card. The forest department requires this for your identification. You'll also need to submit a NOC form with your signature and your passport-size photos.
Essentials
Carry a woolen cap for both the night and day camp.
Carry a poncho or raincoat to protect yourself against snowfall or rain during the trek.
Full-sleeve t-shirts can protect you against sunburn and will dry fast if it gets wet.
Carry thermals for night stay and three pairs of woolen socks.
Carry trekking shoes with good ankle support and grip.
Carry waterproof and warm gloves.
Carry a torch or headlamp for night usage.
Every participant should carry their own water bottle and lunch box.
Know Before You Go for Bhrigu Lake Trek
- Keep all the important documents in a plastic cover and slide them into the inner pocket of your backpack. This saves your documents from getting wet.
- Wear a Sun Cap with flaps in the morning to avoid sunburn.
- Avoid taking buses that will reach Manali after 9 am as the route is prone to bad traffic jams with a 3-4 hour delay.
- Don't wear cotton clothes during the trek as they absorb too much sweat. A wet cotton undergarment can make your body temperature drop rapidly.
- While walking on the trail in June, wear your microspikes before stepping on snow. Remember, hard snow is prone to slips, and a small slip can lead to injuries like a sprained ankle, ligament tear, or even a fracture.
- When it rains excessively in July-August, the trail becomes slushy and muddy. Be cautious of the slushy sections as they are very slippery. Wear shoes with good ankle support and excellent grip on slippery terrain.
- The trail disappears in the lush green meadows many times. So, it is risky to trek solo if you are not well versed in the region.
- Hire an experienced guide or sign up with a reputable trekking organization to have a safe trekking experience. Before venturing, you should also download the GPS for the Bhrigu Lake trek.
By Road
Manali is well-connected with Punjab, Delhi, Haryana, and various cities of Himachal Pradesh by road, and the landscapes are mesmerizing throughout the route. You can get Volvo buses from Chandigarh and New Delhi to Manali. From Delhi, you can also book HPTDC or HRTC buses to reach Manali. Once you reach Manali, hire a taxi to Gulaba, the starting point of the Bhrigu Trek.
By Train
Jogindernagar is the nearest railway station from Manali which is 146.6kms, and Chandigarh railway station is around 293 kilometers from Manali. You can get frequent cabs and buses from Chandigarh to Manali. Chandigarh railway station connects major cities of India like Mumbai, Chennai, New Delhi, Bangalore, etc.
By Air
Bhuntar is the nearest airport to Manali, located at around 50 kilometers. There are cabs and taxis available right outside the Bhuntar airport. You can also land at the Chandigarh airport and head to Sector 43, the Interstate bus terminal of Chandigarh. Get the AC airport bus to Sector 43 outside the arrivals. Target to reach Chandigarh by around 7- 7:30 pm. It takes around an hour to get out of the airport and reach ISBT in Sector 43. Getting a bus to Manali may take half an hour or so. It is usually a 10-hour bus journey to Manali. Avoid taking buses that will reach Manali after 9 am as the route is prone to bad traffic jams with a 3-4 hour delay.
You need to drive to Gulaba from Manali and then trek uphill until Rola Kholi. Gulaba is the starting point of the trek situated on the road to Rohtang Pass. It is a twenty-two-kilometer drive from Manali. The trek starts from Gulaba and will go through Rola Kholi. You'll then find a steep trek to Bhrigu and then back. The Trek to Bhrigu Lake from Rola and then to Pandu Ropa will take around 7-8 hours.
From mid-June to mid-July
Mid-June to Mid July is the best time for trekking to Bhrigu Lake as you will encounter lots of snow at Rola Kholi. Bhrigu Lake is mostly frozen at this time and is surrounded by layers of snow offering you a delightful view.
From mid-July to mid-August
Mid July to Mid August is the best time for trekking to Bhrigu Lake, if you are not a snow fan, as the snow starts lifting, and the paths ascending to Bhrigu Lake become clear. During this time meadows around the lake also start emerging offering you breathtaking views.
From mid-August to September
Mid July to Mid August is the best time for trekking to Bhrigu Lake if you are a fan of flowing rivers, as the snow is gone by this time, and Bhrigu Lake acquires a deep royal blue color with green grass and beautiful flowers blooming around it.
General Trivia About Bhrigu Lake Trek
Bhrigu Lake is a mythological lake named after the saint Maharishi Bhrigu. It is believed that Maharishi Bhrigu, one of the famous Saptarishis, meditated beside Bhrigu Lake.
But what is worth noticing is that the lake rests between two high-altitude ridges and its setting doesn't seem perfect for inward reflection. Moreover, from the lake, you can see some of the most gigantic and famous Himalayan ranges too. Right in front of you are the Dhauladhar and Pir Panjal ranges. Also, major peaks such as Deo Tibba, Hanuman Tibba, and Indrasen stand majestically before you.It is believed that the lake can never totally freeze because Saptrishi Bhrigu meditated here. He tried to do suicide in the Bhrigu river, but the Mother River stopped him. This legend is associated with the creation of blue ice and emerald green patterns upon the lake. The locals believe that the meditations of Maharishi Bhrigu purified the lake and the area around it. This is a sacred lake for the locals, and camping close to the lake is strictly prohibited to protect its sanctity. Other than Saptrishi Bhrigu, several devas and sages are also said to have bathed in this river. As a result, it is known as the 'pool of Gods.'
Why to Go for Bhrigu Lake Trek?
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FAQ's of Bhrigu Lake Trek
What is the best time for Bhrigu Lake Trek?
Bhrigu Lake trek can be done for four months in a year. The best time would be between June and September. You can also extend your plan for Bhrigu Lake Trek to the end of October. In August, you see crystal clear deep blue water in the lake, and can also witness flowers blooming all around the lake during this time. In May, you will encounter a lot of snow during your final ascent to the lake, making it difficult to reach the lake. It is therefore advisable to trek to the lake between June and September.
Is there connectivity, electricity, and network available on the Bhrigu Lake trek?
You won't find electricity after you leave Manali. Even the network becomes poor as you start moving ahead. But you may find the Jio and Vodafone network at Rola Kholi campsite. About 100 meters from Rola Kholi, you may even find Airtel. But the connectivity totally depends on the weather. The network gets badly affected when there is rainfall or clouds roll into the area.
What is the difficulty level of Bhrigu Lake Trek?
Bhrigu Lake is an easy to moderate difficulty level trek. You start from Manali at an altitude of 6,725 ft and reach around 14,009 ft in 4 days. The trail is considered to be a steady ascent to Bhrigu lake. It tests your agility during the final hike to Bhrigu Lake, making the Trek a moderate level 2.
How long is the Bhrigu Lake Trek in Manali?
The Bhrigu Lake trek is around 22 km, and you can cover it in over 4 days. The trek starts from Gulaba, which is around 24 km from Manali and ends at Bhrigu Lake.
Can I do the Bhrigu lake trek in Manali if I'm above 58 years?
Yes, you can do this trek if you are above 58 years, and for that you'll have to submit a Treadmill Test within a week of completing the trek registration. You should also have a good fitness level, and you should be able to walk around 5 km in 45 minutes.
Who can participate in the Bhrigu Lake Trek?
To participate in the Bhrigu Lake Trek, you must have good stamina and you should be able to cover around 4 km in 25 minutes. You should be able to carry a backpack of 10-12 kg.You can't participate in the trek if you have very high blood pressure, asthma, or heart problems. Trekkers below 14 years must be accompanied by their parents/guardians.
Treks in Ladakh & Kashmir